Labour MEP Miriam Dalli has called for a European-wide diplomatic task force for Libya that will report directly to the European Commission’s Federica Mogherini.

Addressing Wednesday’s plenary session with Ms Mogherini, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Dr Dalli said:  “We need to have preventive measures in place which can lead to the stabilisation of the current situation. This has to be done through proper planning and commitment. Meanwhile we also need to work as hard as we can to see the creation of a Libyan national unity government”.

It was only by ending the current instability in Libya that stability could start to be established in the Mediterranean and the EU, she added. Thousands were attempting to cross the Mediterranean and if countries facing migration issues were going to continue being ignored, both the Mediterranean and Europe would suffer serious repercussions.

“You cannot keep ignoring this situation and allowing this stalemate in Libya and the Mediterranean. I expect the EU to walk its talk and put solidarity into practice,” Dr Dalli added.

We need to work as hard as we can to see the creation of a Libyan national unity government

MEP Roberta Metsola argued that citizens needed to know what the EU’s strategy on Libya was, particularly the process towards a Libyan unity government, migration and security.

During the debate with Ms Mogherini, Dr Metsola called on the EU to be prepared for any scenario: “The situation in Libya is evolving fast. Thousands of people are at the risk of being displaced and will flee the terror and violence in any way they can – migratory flows in the Mediterranean will continue to persist.

“We need to have the courage to look at every instrument available the EU can use.”

This, she said, included looking at whether it was time to deploy assets to the Mediterranean in an effort to save lives and boost security.

It could also include looking at how legislation like the Temporary Protection Directive could best be used to ensure fair sharing of responsibility between the European Union’s member states.

Roberta Metsola

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